Bastet Figurines Egyptian Cat Goddess Sculptures & Statues
Typified by fierceness and violence but also loyalty, Bastet became a figure to be emulated among the pharaohs. While her transformation from lioness to cat may seem incongruous, it fits with Ancient Egypt’s regard for both. Cats were instrumental in hunting and killing disease-ridden mice in homes and crops. Accordingly, Bastet became a protector deity, guarding the hearth and families and eventually the pharaoh himself.
Worship and Festivals
- Her cat-headed form became her primary symbol during the later New Kingdom period, after 1100 BC.
- May her presence serve as a reminder of the beauty and resilience that dwell within us all, inspiring us to walk boldly in the world with grace, courage, and compassion.
- Her benevolent presence was believed to ward off evil spirits and bring harmony to the home.
Bastet invites you to kneel before the altar, offering your own prayers and intentions for protection, abundance, and joy. As you speak your words aloud, you feel her presence growing stronger, surrounding you with her divine light and love. Take a moment to sit quietly in meditation, allowing Bastet’s energy to envelop you. Feel her presence surrounding you, filling you with a sense of peace and empowerment.Visualize Bastet’s golden light streaming down upon you, enveloping you in a cocoon of protection and love. Allow yourself to bask in her divine presence, knowing that she is always by your side, guiding and protecting you. Speak aloud or silently invoke Bastet’s presence, inviting her to join you punetembare.al in this sacred ritual.
The Significance of Bastet in Egyptian Mythology
- Her timeless allure continues to inspire artists, writers, and creatives around the world, reminding us of the enduring power of ancient mythology to captivate and inspire.
- This ritual is a celebration of her divine presence and the blessings she bestows upon those who seek her guidance.
- As you speak your words aloud, you feel her presence growing stronger, surrounding you with her divine light and love.
- Entering the temple, you are surrounded by the soft glow of candlelight and the gentle hum of chanting.
- In many of these depictions, which include small statues and images on jars of ointment, she is purely a cat, sitting still and erect but acutely aware of her surroundings.
During this time, small cat statues were exchanged between households, yet another symbol of Bastet’s ubiquity. The Festival of Bastet was celebrated initially in the cities of Bubastis, Esna, and Thebes. Bubastis, from which Bastet’s name may be derived, was the chief location for this celebration involving wine, boating, and song. If the Greek historian Herodotus is to be believed, the women on boat would verbally abuse the residents of each passing town while lifting their skirts. Bastet extends her hand to you, inviting you to join her on a journey through the sacred temple dedicated to her worship. As you walk together, you feel her powerful energy enveloping you, filling you with a sense of safety and belonging.
